Track assembly

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed towards a track assembly having a brace assembly arranged to secure a base plate of the track assembly in position. The track assembly includes a base plate, a mount to which the base plate is secured, a rail secured to the base plate and a brace assembly. The brace assembly is located to provide a force against a side of the base plate. The brace assembly includes a brace block attached to the mount and a wedge inserted in between the brace block and the side of the base plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to United Kingdom patent application number GB 1302970.7, filed on Feb. 20, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is directed towards a track assembly having a brace assembly arranged to secure a base plate of the track assembly in position.

BACKGROUND

Track assemblies for railways or railroads commonly comprise a pair of rails, mounted parallel to one another at a set rail gauge, on a plurality of sleepers. A base plate, for example a slide base plate as disclosed in CA-A-2445115, may be located between each rail and each sleeper on which it is mounted. Fastening means secure the rails, base plates and sleepers to one another. As a result of the loading caused by passing trains travelling on the rails, these fastening means may drift, deform, wear or vibrate loose over time. This may result in “gauge spread” if the rails move apart.

Brace assemblies, base plates and other devices are commonly incorporated in track assemblies to provide support to help stabilise the rails at switches (also known as sets of points) and other discontinuities in the tracks. Switches commonly comprise moveable switch rails that enable a train to move from one pair of rails to another. Such discontinuities may result in relatively increased outward lateral loading on the rails, which can cause undesired gauge spread. However, it may be imperative to prevent gauge spread at such locations to reduce the likelihood of failures and derailment. Certain national regulations require a positive stop on the outer edges of the stock rails to prevent gauge spread.

A rigid sole plate (also known as a gauge plate or gauge tie plate) may be incorporated in the track assembly to prevent gauge spread. The sole plate typically extends across the gap between a pair of rails parallel with, and on top of, a sleeper. The rails and base plates may be mounted on the sole plate and attached thereto by fastening means. In particular, a sole plate may be located under the tips of the switch rails.

During installation, manufacturing and assembly, tolerances in the fastening means and variations in the dimensions may exist in, for example, the sleepers, rails, base plates and sole plates. These components may need to be welded to one another on site so that the tolerances are taken into account and a consistent rail gauge can be achieved. For example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. B 4,981,264, a stop may be welded to the base plate at the end of a spring element for pressing down on the foot of a stock rail. However, on-site welding may increase the installation time and the risk of failure, if the on-site welding is not accurate.

Alternatively, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. B 6,758,406, a brace assembly may be provided, which is assembled on site. Such an assembly helps to secure a rail in position without the need for on-site welding. U.S. Pat. No. B 6,758,406 discloses a rail switch brace assembly for providing a positive stop for a rail mounted on a tie plate. A brace is located adjacent to the rail and a wedge block is welded to the tie plate. A tongue of the brace is wedged into a groove of the wedge block. A toothed fastener plate is secured to the wedge block and engages teeth on the brace.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a track assembly comprising; a base plate; a mount to which the base plate is secured; a rail secured to the base plate; a brace assembly located to provide a force against a side of the base plate, said brace assembly comprising; a brace block attached to the mount; and a wedge inserted in between the brace block and the side of the base plate.

By way of example only, embodiments of a track assembly are now described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a track assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a section of the track assembly of FIG. 1 shown in more detail;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front elevation along line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the upper side of a block of the track assembly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the underside of the block of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the block of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wedge of the track assembly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the top of the wedge of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the underside of a stop of the track assembly of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is generally directed towards a track assembly for a railway, railroad or the like. The track assembly comprises at least one rail mounted on a base plate. The base plate is secured to a mount, which may be a sleeper. A brace, comprising a block attached to the mount and a wedge, is used to apply an inwards lateral force to a side of the base plate.

In this disclosure “longitudinal” is used to refer to the direction along the length of the rails (i.e. the direction along which a train would travel) and “lateral” is used to refer to the direction generally perpendicular to the length of the rails (i.e. between a pair of rails).

The track assembly 10 comprises at least one rail 11 supported by a base plate 12. The base plate 12 is located on a mount 13. A brace assembly 14 may be located on the mount 13 adjacent to the base plate 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, there may be a pair of parallel rails 11, each mounted on a base plate 12. The two base plates 12 may be mounted on a single mount 13.

The rail 11, which may be a stock rail or another type of rail, may have a flat-bottom cross-sectional shape or any other cross-sectional shape known in the art, for example I-beam or bullhead. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the rail 11 may comprise a head 15 attached to a foot 16 by a web 17. The wheels of a train may travel along the head 15 and the foot 16 may be in contact with the base plate 12.

The base plate 12 may have a substantially rectangular, square, oval or similar shape. The base plate 12 may comprise four substantially vertical base plate sides 18, 19, 20 (one side is not visible in the Figures) and two substantially horizontal upper and lower base plate faces 21, 22. The lower base plate face 22 may be in contact with the mount 13. The foot 16 of the rail 11 may be mounted on the upper base plate face 21. The foot 16 may be located in a recess in the upper base plate face 21. Longer base plate sides 18 may be in the lateral plane and shorter base plate sides 19, 20 may be in the longitudinal plane.

Base plate fastening means 23 may be provided for attaching the base plate 12 to the mount 13. The base plate fastening means 23 may be comprised of, for example, a bolt in each of the four corners of the base plate 12. Alternatively, the base plate 12 may be welded to the mount.

The base plate 12 may be a slide base plate or slide chair comprising a slide surface 24. The slide surface 24 may be substanitally horizontal, may be substantially rectangular and may include an end adjacent to the rail 11. As shown in the Figures, a removable slipper insert 25 may be provided to form at least a part of the slide surface 24. The slipper insert 25 may be low-friction and may be formed from graphite, bronze or plastic. Alternatively, the slide surface 24 may form an integral part of the base plate 12. The horizontal surface may enable a switch rail to slide along the length, in the lateral direction, of the slide surface 24 to contact the rail 11. A similar arrangement is disclosed in CA-A-2445115.

Alternatively, the slide surface 24 may comprise rollers (not shown in the Figures) upon which a switch rail may slide. The height of the rollers may be adjustable.

The base plate 12 may be formed from any suitable material, for example cast iron.

The rail 11 may be attached to the base plate 12 by one or more inner and outer rail fastening means 26, 27. The inner and outer rail fastening means 26, 27 may form an integral part of the base plate 12. As is known in the art, various types and arrangements of one or more inner and outer rail fastening means 26, 27 may be employed. These fastening means 26, 27 may be designed to reduce longitudinal, lateral and/or vertical movement of the rail 11.

For example, the outer rail fastening means 27 may comprise a clip shoulder 28 and spring clip 29. The clip shoulder 28 may be attached to the upper base plate face 21 by, for example, welding or bolts. A through hole 30 may be provided in the clip shoulder 28 into which a free end of the spring clip 29 is inserted. The other end of the spring clip 29 may be in contact with, and may apply a downwards vertical force upon, the foot 16 of the rail 11. An indentation 31 in the base plate 12 may form part of the through hole 30.

The inner rail fastening means 26 may comprise an arrangement (not shown in the Figures) similar to that 26 disclosed in CA-A-2445115. The arrangement may comprise spring means, for example an elastic clip loaded as a three-point fulcrum, providing a downward vertical force upon the foot 16 of the rail 11. The spring means may be located within a housing under the slide surface 24. Alternatively, the inner rail fastening means 26 may also comprise clips and clip shoulders.

As shown in the Figures, the mount 13 may comprise a sole plate 32 overlying a sleeper 33. However, the mount 13 may be any form of mount known in the art and may, for example, comprise a sleeper 33 only or sole plate 32 only.

The sleeper 33 (also known as a tie or bearer) may be formed in any way known in the art. For example, the sleeper 33 may comprise a substantially rectangular prism. Alternatively, the sleeper 33 may comprise two substantially square prisms connected by a rod, may have a U-shaped cross section and/or may be hollow. Each sleeper 33 may be formed from any suitable material, for example wood, concrete, rubber or steel. Alternatively, the sleeper 33 may be formed from a layer of material, for example rubber, steel or concrete, which extends along the whole longitudinal length of the rail 11.

The sleeper 33 may have a sleeper top face 34 upon which the sole plate 32 or the base plate 12 may be located. The sleeper 33 may rest on the ground, surface, ballast or any other material on which the track assembly is laid. As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeper 33 may extend in the lateral direction such that it underlies a pair of base plates 12, a pair of rails 11 and the sole plate 32.

In a particular embodiment, the sleeper 33 may be formed from a hollow steel bearer (not shown in the Figures). Hollow steel bearers are common in the art, for example in the high performance switch system developed by Progress Rail Services UK Limited. Such bearers may have a U-shaped cross-section, such that each hollow steel bearer includes two vertical side walls with a horizontal gap in between the tops of the side walls. The sleeper top face 34 may include the tops of the side walls and the horizontal gap.

The mount 13 may not include a sole plate 32 when the sleeper 33 is formed from a hollow steel bearer. A pair of base plates 12, each supporting at least one rail 11 and spanning the horiztonal gap, may be provided on the sleeper top face 34. Alternatively, as is common in the art, four base plates 12 may be provided such that each at least one rail 11 is supported by a pair of base plates 12. Each pair of base plates 12 are located adjacent to one another on the top of a side wall. Four brace assemblies 14 may also be provided, with each brace assembly 14 being located adjacent to a base plate 12.

The sole plate 32 may be a substantially rectangular plate and may be formed from a rigid and inelastic material such as steel. The sole plate 32 may overlie the sleeper top face 34 partially or in whole. As shown in FIG. 1, the sole plate 32 may extend in the lateral direction such that a pair of base plates 12, each supporting at least one rail 11, may be mounted thereupon. As a result of its rigidity and support of a pair of rails 11, the sole plate 32 may be suitable for preventing and/or reducing gauge spread.

The brace assembly 14 is provided on the mount 13 adjacent to an end of the base plate 12. The brace assembly 14 comprises a brace block 35 and a wedge 37. The brace assembly 14 may further comprise brace fastening means 36. The brace block 35 is located on and may be attached by attachment means to the sole plate 32 and/or sleeper 33. The attachment means may, for example, be welding, two interlocking parts, bolts or any other suitable means.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the brace block 35 may be substantially cuboidal. The brace block 35 may therefore comprise a top face 38, an opposing bottom face 39, a first end 40, an opposing second end 41, a first brace block side 42 and an opposing second brace block side 43. As shown in FIG. 3, the brace block 35 may be tapered as the first brace block side 42 may have an acute angle with the longitudinal plane and the shape of the top face 38 may be a right trapezium (i.e. having two inner right angles). As a result, the width of one of the first and second ends 40, 41 may be longer than the width of the other of the first and second ends 40, 41.

The brace block 35 may have a slot 44 in the first side 42. An inner slot face 45 of the slot 44 may also be at an acute angle to the longitudinal plane and may be parallel to the first side 42. The slot 44 may be located on the lower edge of the first brace block side 42. However, the slot 44 may have any other suitable arrangement, for example being located midway through the first brace block side 42.

The wedge 37 is for locating between the brace block 35 and the outer base plate side 20 on the outside of the rail 11. The wedge 37 may be tapered and configured to mate with the taper of the brace block 35. The wedge 37 is inserted to provide an inwards lateral force against the outer base plate side 20 and/or provide a positive stop against the outer lateral movement of the base plate 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wedge 37 may comprise wedge block 46 and a tongue 47 extending from a first wedge block side 48. First and second wedge block sides 48, 49 may be for locating between the first brace block side 42 and the outer base plate side 20.

The tongue 47 may be configured for insertion into the slot 44 and may comprise a tongue end 50 for contacting the inner slot face 45. The tongue 47 may be located at the bottom of the wedge block 46 and may extend the whole length of the wedge block 46. However, the tongue 47 may be located at any height of the first side 48 of the wedge block such that the tongue 47 can engage with and be inserted into the slot 44.

The taper of the wedge 37 may be formed from the tongue end 50 and first wedge block side 48, at an acute angle to the longitudinal plane when in the wedged position. The tongue end 50 and first wedge block side 48 may be parallel to the first brace block side 42 and inner slot face 45. Therefore, the width of the wedge block 46 may taper and the shape of the top of the tongue 47 may be a parallelogram.

The wedge 37 may further comprise wedge interlocking means 51, which may be located at the top of the wedge block 46 and form an integral part thereof. The wedge interlocking means 51 may comprise teeth and may be for preventing longitudinal movement of the wedge 37.

Brace fastening means 36 may be provided for securing the wedge 37 in position and may comprise a stop 52, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The stop 52 may comprise a recess 53 and stop interlocking means 54 for interlocking with the wedge interlocking means 51. The stop interlocking means 54 may comprise teeth which are complementary to teeth of the stop interlocking means 51.

The brace fastening means 36 may comprise brace engagement means 55 for securing the stop 52, when interlocked with the at least one wedge 37, to the at least one brace block 35. As illustrated, brace engagement means 55 may comprise a clip shoulder 56 mounted on the top face 38 of the at least one brace block 35 and a spring clip 57. One end of the spring clip 57 is inserted into a hole 58 in the clip shoulder 56 and the other end of the spring clip 57 is in contact with the stop 52. The spring clip 57 may be of the spring type such that it provides a downwards force upon the stop 52.

The stop 52 may be longer than the clip shoulder 56. The clip shoulder 56 may be inserted into the recess 53. The brace engagement means 55 and stop 52 may prevent longitudinal movement of the wedge 37.

The components of the brace assembly 14 may be formed from any suitable material, for example steel or iron.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the track assembly 10. In this arrangement a first rail 11 is secured to a first base plate 12 and a second rail 11 is secured to a second base plate 12. Both base plates 12 may be mounted on a single sole plate 32, that extends between the base plates 12. First and second brace assemblies 14 may be located adjacent to the outer base plate sides 20. A sleeper 33 may underlie the sole plate 32.

The track assembly 10 may also comprise an electrically triggered track circuit. When the axles of a vehicle pass over the track assembly 10 an electrical circuit is formed, which may be used to alert a signalling system to the presence of a train. To form the track circuit, each rail 11 may need to be isolated from one another.

If a sole plate 32 is included in the track assembly 10, an isolation joint, which may be formed in any way known in the art, may be provided in the sole plate 32 in between each rail 11. For example, the sole plate 32 may comprise two separate plates joined together at the joint, which includes an insulating material between the two separate plates.

If no sole plate is included and the sleeper 33 is formed from a hollow steel bearer, the track circuit may be formed by isolating the base plates 12 from the sleeper 33 by including an isolating material therebetween. The brace assemblies 14 may also be isolated from the sleeper 33 by a similar means.

Industrial Applicability

Prior to on-site installation, the brace block 35 may be attached to the mount 13 (i.e. a sole plate 32 or sleeper 33). During on-site installation, the base plate 12 may be secured to the mount 13 by the base plate fastening means 23 and the rail 11 may be attached to the base plate 12. The wedge 37 may then be inserted, for example by using a hammer, into the slot 44 and in between the brace block 35 and outer base plate side 20. The stop 52 may then be located on top of the wedge 37 and the stop interlocking means 54 may be interlocked with the wedge interlocking means 51. The brace engagement means 55 may then be suitably positioned, for example by hammering the spring clip 57 into the clip shoulder 56.

The brace assembly 14 may enable tolerances and variations in the inner and outer rail fastening means 26, 27, the rail 11, the base plate 12, the mount 13 (e.g. sleeper 33 and/or sole plate 32) and other components of the track assembly 10 to be taken into account on site. The brace assembly 14 may, particularly in the assembly without a sole plate 32, prevent the base plate 12 from drifting over time and causing gauge spread. Furthermore, the brace assembly 14 may be used to secure other components of the track assembly 10 in position. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A track assembly comprising; a base plate; a mount to which the base plate is secured; a rail secured to the base plate; a brace assembly located to provide a force against a side of the base plate, said brace assembly comprising; a brace block attached to the mount; and a wedge inserted between the brace block and the side of the base plate.
 2. A track assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pair of substantially parallel rails, each rail being secured to a respective base plate.
 3. A track assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a brace assembly is located on an outer side of each base plate.
 4. A track assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a sleeper and a sole plate, the sole plate overlying at least a part of the sleeper and the brace block being attached to the sole plate.
 5. A track assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a sleeper, the sleeper being a hollow steel bearer.
 6. A track assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mount extends at least between the rails.
 7. A track assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate is a slide base plate having a slide surface.
 8. A track assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge is tapered and the brace block is tapered, the wedge and brace block mating along the taper to provide a force against the side of the base plate.
 9. A track assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the brace block includes a slot and the wedge includes a tongue, the tongue being sized and shaped to fit into the slot.
 10. A track assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the rail extends in a longitudinal direction; the wedge includes a wedge block, the wedge block having a first wedge block side; the brace block includes a first brace block side; the tongue includes a tongue end; the slot includes an inner slot face; wherein the taper is formed by the first wedge block side and the first brace block side mating at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction; and the tongue end and inner slot face mating at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction.
 11. A track assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge is secured to the brace block by brace fastening means.
 12. A track assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the brace fastening means includes a stop, the stop having stop interlocking means and the wedge having wedge interlocking means, the stop interlocking means configured to interlock with the wedge interlocking means.
 13. A track assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stop is secured to the brace block by brace engagement means, and the brace engagement means includes: a clip shoulder mounted on a top face of the brace block; and a clip inserted at one end into a hole in the clip shoulder, the other end of the clip providing a downward force on the stop.
 14. A track assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stop includes a recess, and the clip shoulder is inserted into the recess, thereby preventing movement of the wedge. 